NEW YORK — Pro-Palestinian encampments were cleared from at least three college campuses early Friday, marking some of the latest examples of schools using law enforcement to respond to demonstrations that have popped up across the country in recent weeks. Here are the latest developments:
Police tear down tents at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Law enforcement began clearing the encampment early Friday, days after the university announced a “set of disciplinary consequences” for students who remained following a deadline to leave.
“All clear” announced at The University of Arizona: “Loud munitions” and “chemical munitions” were used as the school’s police department worked to clear an encampment from campus early Friday, the university said. “A structure made from wooden pallets and other debris was erected on campus property,” a violation of school policy, officials said. The university is set to hold a commencement ceremony Friday evening, according to its website.
Police begin dismantling protest encampment at University of Pennsylvania: Police ordered protesters to leave their encampment early Friday morning. The student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that university police gave protesters a two-minute warning to disperse shortly before 6 a.m.
An official notification from the university said, “Police activity in the area of College Green. Use caution and avoid the area.” Police with riot gear and batons were seen moving into the encampment and dismantling tents, according to CNN affiliate WPVI. People were seen being taken into custody, but it was not immediately known if any charges were being filed.
Xavier University cancels UN ambassador’s commencement speech: The HBCU in Louisiana is the second institution to reverse course on inviting US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield to speak, according to multiple reports. The decision was made in response to a student-led petition expressing anger at US policy supporting Israel in its war against Hamas and its vote against a ceasefire at the UN, university President Reynold Verret said.
The New School won’t pursue criminal charges against student protesters: More than 40 people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the New York City university on May 3, CNN has reported. But school officials have asked prosecutors to drop all charges, interim President Donna Shalala said in a message to the university community that also announced the Faculty Senate has asked to reactivate an Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility.
MIT encampment dismantled
Demonstrators chanted messages like, “Free Palestine” as police dismantled the pro-Palestinian encampment on the Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus early Friday, video from CNN affiliate WFXT showed.
The university had been trying this week to clear the encampment, and on Monday enacted a “set of disciplinary consequences” for students who remained after being ordered to peacefully clear the area.
On Thursday, fewer than 10 students were arrested on campus, according to the university.
Demonstrators had blocked the entry to a garage into the Stata Center – the biggest access point for deliveries to and from the university and where staff and administration park, said Francesca Riccio-Ackerman, the media liaison for MIT Scientists Against Genocide Encampment.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN’s Andy Rose Sam Simpson, Rob Frehse and Zenebou Sylla contributed to this report.
Recent polling shows legalized recreational marijuana is falling short of the 60% threshold needed in November. ABC Action News anchor Paul LaGrone went on the streets of Tampa to get Your Voice on Amendment 3.
